{{newsitem| Islamist rebels gaining ground in Mali| 14 Jan 2013| Islamist militants gained ground in one Malian town even as government troops stepped up their offensive to wrest control from rebels. Word of the rebels' advance came as the U.N. Security Council was set to discuss the conflict in Mali, where Islamist rebels have been seizing territory for months. World leaders from a number of countries have said they'll send troops or provide logistical support for the fight against Islamist militants in the West African nation. [http://www.cnn.com/2013/01/14/world/africa/mali-military-offensive]}}

{{newsitem| Islamist rebels gaining ground in Mali| 14 Jan 2013| Islamist militants gained ground in one Malian town even as government troops stepped up their offensive to wrest control from rebels. Word of the rebels' advance came as the U.N. Security Council was set to discuss the conflict in Mali, where Islamist rebels have been seizing territory for months. World leaders from a number of countries have said they'll send troops or provide logistical support for the fight against Islamist militants in the West African nation. [http://www.cnn.com/2013/01/14/world/africa/mali-military-offensive]}}

{{newsitem| Cuba looses travel restrictions| 14 Jan 2013|Cubans will no longer need an exit permit and a letter of invitation from someone in another country to travel abroad. Shortly after Fidel Castro took power in 1959, stringent travel laws were put in place to stem an exodus from Cuba. Now Cubans will require only a passport to travel internationally and can stay abroad for two years -- more than twice as long as the previous restriction -- without losing their property or ability to return to the island. [http://www.cnn.com/2013/01/13/world/americas/cuba-travel-restrictions]}}

{{newsitem| Cuba looses travel restrictions| 14 Jan 2013|Cubans will no longer need an exit permit and a letter of invitation from someone in another country to travel abroad. Shortly after Fidel Castro took power in 1959, stringent travel laws were put in place to stem an exodus from Cuba. Now Cubans will require only a passport to travel internationally and can stay abroad for two years -- more than twice as long as the previous restriction -- without losing their property or ability to return to the island. [http://www.cnn.com/2013/01/13/world/americas/cuba-travel-restrictions]}}

−

{{newsitem| Police Fire Rubber Bullets, South Africa| 9 Jan 2013| South African police fired rubber bullets and stun grenades at striking farm workers who blocked a highway in the grape-growing [[Western Cape]], the first clashes of a year likely to be marked by fractious labor relations. Police said they arrested 44 people and an emergency worker said four were taken to hospital with minor injuries from the rubber bullets. The strike in the Western Cape, home to South Africa's multi-billion-dollar wine industry, follows a similar walk-out in December in which warehouses were set on fire and at least two workers died in clashes with police. [http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2013/01/09/world/africa]}}

+

{{newsitem| Pakistani 'Tahrir Square'| 14 Jan 2013| Thousands of protesters descended on Islamabad in night's cold weather, filling part of the "blue zone" in the center of the Pakistani capital. But the group was much smaller than organizers of the self-proclaimed "Million Man March" had hoped. Exact figures were unclear, but witnesses estimated around 20,000 people had participated. But the group was much smaller than organizers of the self-proclaimed "Million Man March" had hoped. Exact figures were unclear, but witnesses estimated around 20,000 people had participated. Much of Pakistan watched in anticipation as thousands of people, led by Qadri, headed toward Islamabad with police and soldiers lining the rally route. [http://www.cnn.com/2013/01/14/world/asia/pakistan-qadri-march]}}

−

{{newsitem| Delegation to North Korea to Urge More Internet Access| 9 Jan 2013| A private delegation including Google’s executive chairman is urging North Korea to allow more open Internet access and cellphones to benefit its citizens, during its visit to the country, which has some of the world’s tightest controls on information. The members were bringing a message that more openness would benefit North Korea. Most in the country have never logged onto the Internet, and the authoritarian government strictly limits access to the World Wide Web. [http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/10/world/asia/delegation-to-north-korea-urges-more-access-to-internet-and-cellphones]}}

+

{{newsitem| Beijing Pollution Hits Highs | 14 Jan 2013|China's capital endured its worst air pollution in recent memory, illustrating the persistent challenge the nation's new leaders face in addressing environmental woes. Officials called for residents to stay home and avoid exercising outside after the murky air darkened the skies over Beijing and surrounding areas. China's government is under pressure to clean up the country's environmental problems, a legacy of more than three decades of untrammeled economic growth. [http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324235104578239142337079994.html]}}

{{newsitem| Iranian Captives Freed in Prisoner Exchange in Syria| 9 Jan 2013| More than 2,000 prisoners incarcerated by the Syrian authorities were being released in return for 48 Iranians freed by rebels after five months in captivity in what appeared to be the biggest prisoner swap since the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad began almost two years ago. [http://www.nytimes.com/pages/world/middleeast/index.html] }}

{{newsitem| Iranian Captives Freed in Prisoner Exchange in Syria| 9 Jan 2013| More than 2,000 prisoners incarcerated by the Syrian authorities were being released in return for 48 Iranians freed by rebels after five months in captivity in what appeared to be the biggest prisoner swap since the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad began almost two years ago. [http://www.nytimes.com/pages/world/middleeast/index.html] }}

{{newsitem| Brazil Police Cannot Help Violent Crime Victims| 9 Jan 2013| Police in Brazil's most populous state can no longer give first aid to victims injured in violent crimes or in shootouts with law enforcement officers. Sao Paulo State Public Safety Department says in a statement posted on its website that only emergency response teams and paramedics can provide treatment to victims at the scene of the crime or shootout with police. [http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/brazil-police-violent-crime-victims-18172176]}}

{{newsitem| Brazil Police Cannot Help Violent Crime Victims| 9 Jan 2013| Police in Brazil's most populous state can no longer give first aid to victims injured in violent crimes or in shootouts with law enforcement officers. Sao Paulo State Public Safety Department says in a statement posted on its website that only emergency response teams and paramedics can provide treatment to victims at the scene of the crime or shootout with police. [http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/brazil-police-violent-crime-victims-18172176]}}

The capital of Portugal, Lisbon has experienced a renaissance in recent years, with a contemporary culture that is alive and thriving and making its mark in today's Europe. Perched on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, Lisbon is one of the rare Western European cities that face the ocean and uses water as an element that defines the city. Lisbon enchants travelers with its white bleached limestone buildings, intimate alleyways, and an easy going charm. (more...)

Rishikesh is a small town in the northern state of Uttarakhand in India. Scenically located where the Ganges River comes down from the Himalayas, Rishikesh catapulted to Western fame when the Beatles dropped by for a visit to Maharishi Mahesh Yogi's ashram, and the town is still known as the World Capital of Yoga. Rishikesh is also the Gateway to the Himalayas (more...)